Would it be unreasonable to ask for a $1-2/hr increase in this situation? Urgent!

Hi everyone!

So, I’m meeting with my manager today to discuss my RVT employment contract. I’ve already decided I want to talk with her, but I’m definitely anxious. I worry I’m asking for too much or that I’m believing my skill set is worth more than it is.

For context, I worked for cumulatively 1 1/2 to 2 years as a VA (at this same hospital) who floated to all specialty departments. I consider myself well-versed in all of them, at least with VA skills — though closer to my second year I began doing tech ones as well.

For my initial work contract 2 years ago, I signed a form saying they would pay my full tuition provided I work as an RVT for them for 2 years. This sounded great to me, especially as the manager who made me this offer was the specialty manager (work in departments I like doing), and there were a lot of specialty job internal hirings back then.

Last year I decided to temporarily halt work to focus fully on finishing my last 2 semesters of the VT program. During this time, my old manager left as did most specialty department staff. I don’t know the new managers well.

Before I left, I was being paid $21.5/hr CAD as a specialty float VA. The starting wage for emergency techs here is $25/hr. I thought that since I’ve been here for a while, that I would begin slightly above that minimum — like $27/hr. As well, all other emerg hospitals here start at $28/hr! But, I got my contract yesterday and it said I’d be beginning at $25/hr, AND that I would be in emergency (which I didn’t train as much for). So that brings me to where I am now…

Would you talk to the new manager about it? Any tips for it? My issue is also that I don’t really have any bargaining power, since I did sign a contract making it so I must work here. Am I asking for too much? I’ll also being doing my VTNE this summer, so I’m a fresh grad.

Skills-wise, I’m doing my placement currently in the neurosurgery department at a research lab (doing mouse/rat anesthesia, incisions, etc etc.). During school I achieved my Fear Free Elite membership as a side-thing. When I worked there, I helped screen and hire new VAs for the surgery department, and then trained them for the specialties. I’ve personally referred 3 people who now work as techs there. I’m working on joining CALAS after my VTNE is done.

I really do try hard, and I have a lot of references as well. I guess I just feel kind of sad as it feels like the time/work I did isn’t being recognized.

Please let me know what you guys think. I really do value your opinion as I want to know what other, more senior, techs and managers think. Thanks!